Community Activities
You’re almost as likely to find Dickie V on the streets of his
hometown as you would behind the microphone during hoops season! Learn about
Dickie V’s latest activities—from a scholarship event with the Boys and Girls Club
to a fundraiser in downtown Lakewood Ranch, there is never a dull moment when
Dickie V’s around Sarasota!
It is with great pleasure and honor that I received the Gulf Coat
Italian Cultural Society's Man of the Year Award. The award was
presented to me at Prestancia Country Club in Sarasota, FL.
I am very
proud of my Italian background and heritage so receiving this honor was
quite a thrill.
I can't thank Mary Amabile Palmer and the kind people
at the GCIC for selecting me for this great award.
Read more: The Gulf Coast Italian Cultural Society's Man of the Year
What a thrill I had at the Rays/Red Sox Championship Series Game 2. The Rays executives asked me to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Tropicana Field. I brought my three grandsons on the mound with me. It was certainly a moment we will all remember. The Trop was electric and filled to capacity to watch the Rays beat the Sox in an epic game 2 lasting 5 1/2 hours. Luckily, I made my throw to the catcher at home plate - I think it actually may have been a strike!!!
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I had a fun time mingling with the crowd at the Broken Egg Restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, FL.
The Broken Egg partnered with the Digital Village of Lakewood Ranch to host an evening in which all the proceeds would benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Over 100 people gathered at the restaurant and enjoyed food/drinks. I also shared some words with the people on why giving to the V Foundation is such an important mission in my life.
I had my merchandise available at the event for autographing, and all the proceeds benefited the V Foundation. A big thanks to Digital Village and Broken Egg for hosting such a terrific event and raising funds and awareness for the V Foundation.
Read more: Lakewood Ranch Digital Village Partners with Broken Egg
I did an extensive interview today as part of my selection as one of Sarasota Community Hall of Fame Archive Honorees.
They did a "This Is Your Life" interview that will be shown as a video set to music and presented at the event on April 15th at Michael's on East.
I am proud to be among the honorees selected and look forward to the event in April.
Today I was honored to shoot a picture for the cover of the Lakewood Ranch Magazine.
The magazine is for residents in the Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota area and I was thrilled to be asked to be on the cover.
We had a great time doing the shoot at my home. I am a proud resident of the Lakewood Ranch community!
Read more: Cover of Lakewood Ranch Magazine
TO HEAR THE PSA I RECORDED FOR THE ALL-STAR CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION CLICK HERE.
Today I had the pleasure of taping a promotional piece for my good friend, Graci McGillicuddy.
Graci heads up a wonderful non-profit organization, The All-Star Children's Foundation. She is one of the most generous people I know and her Foundation does amazing work preventing child abuse in our community.
Bill Wagy from SNN 6 News and Kristi Bratzke from the Foundation came to my house to shoot the piece. It was a lot of fun and most importantly, will help a terrific cause.
Keep up the great work Graci and everyone at the All-Star Children's Foundation!
Read more: All-Star Children's Foundation
I had the pleasure of watching my grandsons, Jake and Connor, participate in the Tampa Bay Rays baseball camp. The Rays are the only major league team that allows its campers to utilize its major league field and all its facilities (batting cages, etc.).
Jake and Connor had such a thrill playing on the big league field - catching fly balls in the same outfield as BJ Upton and Carl Crawford.
The camp was a week long and ran from 9 am -12 pm. The coaches were outstanding and taught the kids all the basic fundamentals of the game.
Read more: Rays Baseball Camp
Everyone is abuzz over the success that the Tampa Bay Rays have been having this season. We are at the halfway point of the season and the Rays are in FIRST place!
I have been a loyal season ticket holder from the day the team was brought to the Tampa area. I love supporting them and I am thrilled to see them all playing so well and finally getting the attention and respect they deserve.
I had a terrific time going on the field before the Red Sox game and talking with thrid base sensation, Evan Longoria. What a terrific kid!
Read more: Tampa Bay Rays
For the 11th year in a row, my wife and I provided scholarship funds for five youngsters entering college from the Sarasota County Boys and Girls Clubs. These funds are to assist with their education, books, etc. The youngsters are selected by Club President, Mack Reid and his staff.
I am so proud to be a supporter of this great organization and to be able to lend a little help to five youngsters each year as they prepare for a college education.
Mack does a tremendous job at the Club, as does Roy McBean. My wife and I love being a small part of it!
This year's scholarship recipients are:
Read more: Boys and Girls Clubs Scholarships
I made a trip down the street with my 5 year old grandsons, Connor and Jake, to Sarasota Christian Basketball camp.
The camp is a week long and is headed by varsity boys high school coach, Phil Helmuth.
The camp is for youngsters ages 7-14. Phil and his staff do a tremendous job putting the kids through various drills and teaching them some of the basic fundamentals of the game.
Read more: Sarasota Christian Basketball Camp
I was thrilled to be honored by the Sarasota County Commissioners in recognition of my election into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.
Good friend and County Commissioner, Joe Barbetta, coordinated the presentation.
My wife and I are so lucky to live in such a terrific community.
Read more: County Commission of Sarasota County
